[Ben.land101]

So I'm in the market for building a new shop building soon. Thought this would be a fun thread to start, let's see where it goes.
I found a similar one from like, 2012, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to start a new one.
Brag about your shop space here!

I'm still probably (realistically) over a year out from building my own space, but planning early never hurts.
I already have the space on my property, which is nice.
And yes, before anyone else says it, more space is always more better. But my bank account hasn't gotten that memo yet.

What's your shop look like? How many sq.ft?
Basement / Garage or free-standing building?
What are the must-haves, and what do you wish you had?
What are you happy with?

Pictures will get extra credit bonus points from me.

 

[Ben.land101]

I'll start.
Here's the basement / garage I've been working out of for ~2 years now.
It's currently an abject disaster, mixed with an explosion or two. I'm in the middle of moving everything and such. Forgive my clutter.

It's basically just one half of a two-car garage, with a little extra storage not shown. Head room was always an issue. In fact, the height meant the only bridgeport I could fit was the 'pancake' motor j-head style.

I definitely could have done a better job with optimizing storage and such, but was never really motivated to since I knew this space was temporary.

Lights and power was always an annoyance also. The house is old (60's? I think?) and the previous owner never bothered to put in proper circuits for lights or outlets.

The entrance was ideal for heavy stuff, right at the driveway level. That's always nice when playing with 2,000lb equipment. But speaking of the driveway (not shown) it was awful (we're in the mountains of NC). That made it interesting getting deliveries, moving equipment, etc.

Overall it worked fine, but I'm excited to get out and have my own 'forever' space to get started on.

 

[a_j_p]

My shop isn't anything glamorous - 3 car garage I have mostly taken over (though some of it is dedicated to kid crap as needed).

But one of my favorite things I did was everything that can possibly have wheels, got wheels. Industrial steel storage shelves on wheels, welding table + tool cart, small (crappy) lathe stand, etc. Certainly makes things easier to adjust/rearrange as I grow/adopt new equipment, etc. Also let's me move things if I need to add wiring circuits, air lines, etc. This also requires a decent floor base to roll things on but usually that is given with a shop.

As for lighting - though I added a few extra lights - I have had pretty good luck with things like this from Amazon (ASIN: B082XX8XYJ). Very bright and drop into a standard socket.

 

[Ben.land101]

But one of my favorite things I did was everything that can possibly have wheels, got wheels. Industrial steel storage shelves on wheels, welding table + tool cart, small (crappy) lathe stand, etc. Certainly makes things easier to adjust/rearrange as I grow/adopt new equipment, etc. Also let's me move things if I need to add wiring circuits, air lines, etc. This also requires a decent floor base to roll things on but usually that is given with a shop.

+1 for things on wheels. I had a couple of key things that I could scoot around, but I agree more is better. Especially one day my welding table.


But I wanted to share this also, I was planning on buying a used shipping container (conex, sea-can, etc.) to store my tools on my own property. And then I had a dumb idea that just might be dumb enough to work.

Why not set up a temporary shop inside a shipping container?
I measured out the key equipment I'm using, giving a little wiggle room for some things (like the bridgeport)
It'll be fairly cramped, and I'll have to go crazy with proper shelves and such, but it looks like it can work.

For reference, that is a 20ft container in my sketch. They are readily available in my area in a 20ft, and 40ft.
I would rather have a 40' of course, but not sure if that will fit on my property.
Head room is 7'10", for the 'standard' type, and 8'10" for what's called a "high cube" container.

Also for those that are curious, I've called a few places I found on Craigslist, and FB Marketplace for quotes on one of these sea-cans.
To have one of these delivered and set where I want it on the property is around ~$3,500 for a 20ft, and ~4,800-ish for a 40 foot container. Definitely cheaper than any 'proper' building, and can of course be used for extra shop storage after I build the real thing.
The price looks even better when I think about having to store my tools in the interim. Most storage facilities want ~$160 per month (minimum) in my area for a tiny storage unit. Not to mention moving the bridgeport and other heavy crap twice, instead of just once.

I think this idea is just dumb enough to work.

 

[shirk]

Welcome to the kitchen.

My garage is a 16ft by 24ft detached garage. It was an empty shell when we got the house. Electrical was a hack job by the previous owner and still needs a full upgrade.

The cabinets were pulled out of a house that was being torn down we got them for almost nothing. Original intention was to use the in our basement suite for a renovation but eventually decided they would be better used in the garage. I've reinforced under the mill but it needs a proper solid stand or more reinforcement. The lathe bridges three cabinets so it's well supported. Bikes hang just past the little bar fridge.

The opposite wall is a complete mess of junk, this spring the plan is to build some floor to ceiling cabinets and organize that side.

 

[Ben.land101]

Welcome to the kitchen.

My garage is a 16ft by 24ft detached garage. It was an empty shell when we got the house. Electrical was a hack job by the previous owner and still needs a full upgrade.

The cabinets were pulled out of a house that was being torn down we got them for almost nothing. Original intention was to use the in our basement suite for a renovation but eventually decided they would be better used in the garage. I've reinforced under the mill but it needs a proper solid stand or more reinforcement. The lathe bridges three cabinets so it's well supported. Bikes hang just past the little bar fridge.

The opposite wall is a complete mess of junk, this spring the plan is to build some floor to ceiling cabinets and organize that side.

Those cabinets are hilarious, but also awesome. Especially if the price was right. Haha.

 

[Bikesaredumb]

Here's mine

About that shipping container, in my youth I worked for a "gentleman" who did a very similar thing. We set the box up and dropped power to it, we worked in and around that thing for months. We eventually built it into the shop proper, using one wall of the container as the exterior shop wall so the whole thing was inside. It had lockable roll up doors on it so we had somewhere extra lockable to store the welders and compressor and stuff, and a delightful mezzanine. Two thumbs up, would recommend.

Also, get the tall one. 7'10" sounds like a lot until you're standing in it. Also extra height for shelves and whatnot.

 

[Ben.land101]

Here's mine

I mean, if you need a fire extinguisher or three to keep around, hit me up. I get free ones from work. Haha

 

[Ben.land101]

Also, get the tall one. 7'10" sounds like a lot until you're standing in it. Also extra height for shelves and whatnot.

Oh, and yeah. I'm gonna get a 40 foot high cube if I can swing it. Just getting a 40 footer on my property is still a big unknown.
And apparently the 20' high cube containers do exist, but the folks I called in my area said they're super rare for them.

But hey, 7'10" is actually already more headroom than the current shop. But I agree more is better, especially for shelves and such.

 

[dr.welby]

I know it's temporary but having owned them for storage, they are the complete opposite of "insulated"! They still get romanticized as instant architecture but they have some serious shortcomings.

 

[eva_k]

Definitely not a brag, but more of a making-do-with-what-you-can-find story. I rent an apartment in Seattle and very much can not afford to buy property here. Found a small shop space to rent in a shared building with a moped repair shop, motorcycle chassis fab shop, and wooden boat restoration shop. I have about 10x14' of which 10x6' is a walkway that needs to be kept clear when I'm not in the shop. So everything I own is on wheels and my welding table rotates up for storage. But there's 3 phase power, compressed air, a utility sink, and heat so I can't complain too much! The Bridgeport in the background isn't mine unfortunately, it belongs to the resident tool hoarder and is guarded by a pile of things that will maybe come in handy some day.

 

[Ben.land101]

I know it's temporary but having owned them for storage, they are the complete opposite of "insulated"! They still get romanticized as instant architecture but they have some serious shortcomings.

Yes, definitely. The hipster compounds made from shipping containers always make me wonder if it's actually worth it. After all of the stuff needed to make it an actually livable space surely must bring the cost close to what a 'stick-built' building is.

But I'm definitely planning on having really good ventilation, at a minimum.
That will be adequete for the summertime, at least. It will sit mostly in the shade, and our summers are relatively mild. (remind me I said that here in 6 months, lol)
Maybe some sort of insulation also, still just all up in the air at this point.

 

[Ben.land101]

guarded by a pile of things that will maybe come in handy some day.

I feel personally offended by this. Haha

 

[guypie]

This is my shed, I built it about 4 years ago. Still don't have proper power or lighting, but I have a plan of action to get that sorted fairly soon. Clearlite in the roof means the lighting is not really an issue during the day at least. Dimensions are 7 meters by 9 meters (63sqm, 678sqft for imperialists) with 3.6m knee height. Its portal framed so about 4.5m in the middle which makes it look a lot bigger than it really is. Workbench in the centre is on wheels casters so it gets moved to wherever is convenient.

Big lathe is a Tos SV18r from 1963. Have not gotten to use it yet as I need to get 3 phase off the pole for it. Or a large VFD, it has a 6kw motor! I snapped it up for $1000 which was a total bargain in the local market. Shaper to the left is also waiting for 3 phase power, it is a Alba 4s with an 18" stroke. I got that one at a bargain price also, $350. I mostly bought it because I figured the vice on it alone was worth that. The powersaw on the right is a Bramley saw. Made in New Zealand! not much domestic product here so pretty cool piece of NZ history

A little sneaky update of the current frame project, its at the point where it looks like a bike but still a very long way from being rideable.

This is my old lathe, still currently in use until the Tos gets the power it needs. It is a Selson lathe which doesn't really mean much as they were a reseller and they rebranded machines from other companies. It is worn out like you wouldn't believe, but it has served me well and you can still make good parts with it if you take care. Any lathe is better than no lathe!

This is my milling machine, it is a Elliot milmor super 16. Originally had 16 speeds, 4 speeds on stepped belt pulleys, 2 speeds on the electric motor and a backgear type reduction. I picked this up from the estate of an old chap who was a bulldozer enthusiast. Apparently that's a thing, or at least was is his case. He lived in a massive shed filled with bulldozers, a digger and a cable crane with tank tracks. The shed had a dirt floor so we actually had to use the cable crane to move it outside to get it on the hiab for the trip home. It was is a state of serious neglect and I have slowly been tidying it up. I put a VFD on the spindle motor and I would like to get a DRO and power crossfeed for it. It already has a power crossfeed, but it feels like the gearbox is seized and I couldn't get it off last time I was in there.
Anyway, I am enjoying learning how to use this machine. It really opens up the possibilities of what can be done is a home shop.

That's my workshop, it keeps getting better over time. I should probably take snapshots more often so I remember how far it has come.

 

[Ben.land101]

Have not gotten to use it yet as I need to get 3 phase off the pole for it. Or a large VFD, it has a 6kw motor!

I'm not an electrician, so definitely don't do this or you will explode, the world will end, heat death of the universe, etc, etc. The real wire plumbers out there can tell you why this is wrong.
BUT, unless you're actually planning on doing some VERY heavy turning and using the full 6KW, you can use a smaller VFD. Just make sure it has a soft-start feature and you'll be fine.

My last boss taught me that 'trick', and I've been using it ever since.
Dirty little secret time, my bridgeport has been happily running on a 115v 15a circuit (including an extension cord) ever since I got it! It never even goes over 10 amps when I take a heavy cut with it. Granted, it's a pancake motor bridgeport, but I had a similar setup for my lathe also.

 

[Ben.land101]

Minor update on the sea-can shop. I'm gonna try to insulate if I can afford it.
Gonna give DIY spray-foam a go, using the kits you can get from the big-box stores. I've been calling contractors in my area, and long story short doing it myself will be half the cost.
It's also going to be easiest when the container is empty (obviously). Can't really change my mind and insulate later on.

I made a rough sketch in CAD to show the plan.

From looking on the internets, and asking the spray foam contractors, 1" of closed cell foam is adequete.

I'm not looking to keep it at 70f year-round. I'll be happy with 80f in the summer, and 45f in the winter. (That's 25 and 7 degrees in rest-of-the-world units) So not dying of heatstroke, and not having everything freeze.

Forgot to add it to the sketch, but the 'studs' will be 22"-ish on center. So every other corrugation.
Plywood walls are so I can mount stuff where-ever, whenever and not have to worry about it.
Electrical will be EMT on the exterior, for the same reason. Easy to change whenever I want.

 

[Evil4bc]

I've been off the boards for a wile now but popped back in to see how things have been.
Here's glimpses into the shop I'm currently working out of and have been in for the past 3 years. I got pretty lucky with this space for sure!

Frame Fixture area, currently I'm using both my original Arctos frame fixture and a new BFF fixture from FARR frameworks.

The "BFF" from FARR frame works with custom anodize from Ashley Anodizit

Frame welding tabel, originally from SAPA / Ano Inc.

Enco Mill originally from SALSA cycles used for fork mitering a frame reaming & slotting

Bridgeport & Rockwell Mills and some old school Bmx bikes

Frame Alignment Station, Loco machine frame alignment table for cold setting and Mojave surface plate w/ 3ft Minatoyo height gauge for frame measurement.

Tube bending - Cobra bender w/ dies from 5/8 up to 1 1/2" and two Anvil benders with multiple dies and tool storage on the surface plate.

Cool little Benchmaster horizontal mill I picked up last year and back corner bike storage !
Hope you enjoyed the tour of all my crap !!

 

[sikocycles]

Love the BFF. I may get one of those

 

[Evil4bc]

Nice!
I would defiantly recommend it! Todd makes amazing tools and really cares about the frame building community I could not be happier with the fixture. Obviously I got a bit crazy with the anodize on mine, it was an idea I suggested and he let me run with it!!

 

[sikocycles]

I have a few of his tools already. He does a great job